It’s been days of squishing into cramped seats at Paramount Theatre and eating too many Alamo Drafthouse meals. But the work was worth it.
After watching so many movies at South by Southwest 2026, here’s the five you’ve absolutely got to see once they’re out in the world:
Keke Palmer. (Courtesy of NEON)
“I Love Boosters”
Wonderfully deranged and delightfully surreal is the best description for Boots Riley’s “I Love Boosters.” The movie stars the effervescent Keke Palmer as a booster, someone who steals high-end clothes to resell them. Whatever you think this movie is, I can promise you’re wrong. Riley said the movie is his best work and he’s not wrong. It’s got otherworldly characters (literally), delicious costumes, great wigs, Demi Moore, Naomi Ackie, and it’s an anti-capitalist flick, to boot. The soundtrack is killer, too. The movie is out in theaters May 22.
Samara Weaving and Jason Segel. (Jorma Taccone)
“Over Your Dead Body”
What can go wrong when a couple convenes at their family cabin with a secret mission to kill the other? Everything, it turns out. “Over Your Dead Body” stars Samara Weaving and Jason Segel as a couple who are so over each other that murder is the only option and what ensues is so gloriously gory and just plain fun. Support from Juliette Lewis and Timothy Olyphant, both the cherry on top of whatever they’re in, make this horror-comedy situation even more enjoyable. The movie comes out in theaters April 24.
Noah Kahan. (Courtesy of Netflix)
“Noah Kahan: Out of Body”
I’ll admit it. I didn’t know too much about singer-songwriter Noah Kahan before seeing the premier of his documentary “Noah Kahan: Out of Body.” But it didn’t matter. The documentary captures you from the moment it starts. Kahan could have a career in comedy if the music thing somehow fizzles out — I was laughing from the start. The documentary lets viewers into his world, following his meteoric rise to fame as he works on a new album and moves home to Vermont. On the way, Kahan shares his challenges with depression and body image issues in a truly intimate way that made this writer a fan for life. The documentary streams on Netflix April 13.
Griffin Gluck, John Reynolds, Hannah Einbinder, and Justin Theroux. (Tim Suhrstedt)
“Seekers of Infinite Love”
Oh, did you say you were looking to belly laugh for 90 minutes straight? Try “Seekers of Infinite Love.” The movie follows siblings Zach, Kayla, and Wes, played by John Reynolds, Hannah Einbinder, and Griffin Gluck, respectively, as they drive across the U.S. to save their sister Scarlett, played by Justine Lupe, from a cult. Also on the drive is Rick, an emotional cult deprogrammer played by Justin Theroux. Every actor does line readings you never thought possible and are able to bounce between heartfelt and hilarious. Keep your eyes peeled for a release date because there’s no way “Seekers of Infinite Love” won’t get picked up!
Charlie Day. (XYZ Films)
“Kill Me”
“Kill Me” keeps you guessing until its final moment…and then also on your walk to your car and on the drive home from the theater. The movie follows Jimmy, played by Charlie Day, who thinks someone tried to kill him and staged it as a suicide. Allison Williams is Margot, the 9-1-1 operator who answers Jimmy's call for help. The pair investigate the mystery as the movie asks viewers over and over who they believe. I loved seeing Day take on something more dramatic while keeping his comedic flair and Williams is lovely as Margot. This is another one to keep your eyes peeled for!
